In the November 7 issue of the Orient, the Bowdoin community was asked to respond to the question, "How does student employment affect campus culture?" The following reply was submitted.
Kristina Ng '09
Student employment subtly affects campus culture and intra-student perceptions at Bowdoin. Those students who are not employed on campus may not realize that others work as part of their financial aid benefits (which in itself, has socioeconomic class complications). When I work on campus, I try to be friendly and helpful but I have encountered disrespect on many occasions over three years of employment.
This does not mean that the majority of students who are not employed on campus are incapable of showing respect and common courtesy. Most people can muster up a "Hi" or "How are you?" and most of all a simple "Thank You." However, that does not always happen.
Things not to do: for instance, when you're at the C-store, do not throw your ID card down on the table, and go talk to your friends about how much you love SmartWater or Odwalla, or babble about which mixers you are going to purchase before you head to a pre-game your crush is hosting?("I know what drinks he likes, therefore, I know him better," in a fight over one Bowdoin man), without acknowledging the person who is ringing up your items as a person and as a fellow student.
I have to put up with mindless conversations while students ignore me and throw down their key cards or cash (including change) and yet expect service with a smile. We should treat all people with respect. I'm still a student, just earning extra money on the side.
People may naively believe that we're at a very liberal institution where socioeconomic status does not make a difference. Attitudes and behavior toward student employees (and toward staff) are too often negative.
According to Professor of Sociology and Anthropology Joe Bandy, "The cleaning staff, dining service staff, and mailroom staff cite how students (sometimes or on occasion) treat them as merely hired help, people who have no other function than to serve. This suggests that campus services are viewed as consumer items?and how easy it is to be inattentive to the campus as a community where everyone expects a certain amount of respect.
Schools like Bowdoin are places that draw from, and contribute to, professional middle class ranks (or higher) of our class hierarchy but sometimes reproduce class inequalities despite our best intentions."
Whatever our backgrounds, we need to take into consideration the broader message of respect for members of our communities inside and outside of Bowdoin.
Insight from conversations with Professors of Sociology Craig McEwen and Susan Bell was included in the writing of this response.